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Alpe Tompey | September 11, 2019

Cool days announce the end of summer

It has been an excellent summer on Alpe Tompey where the Zjörien family produced many wheels of L’Ètivaz AOP. Beautiful days offered spectacular views over Lake Geneva. And enough hay was produced during the hottest days. Son Damien, who enters school now, is already helping with daily tasks. The Zjöriens also welcomed a calf named “Oum” that was born on the meadows and had to be carried to the chalet….

Alp mass on Jänzimatt

Sunday, August 18, was a special day for the Riebli family. The “Ammensatz”, a festival where Alpeneers and the people of Giswil meet, was held on Jänzimatt. The celebration includes a church service with a performance of the local choir as well as “Swiss Wrestling”. On the peak of summer the animals spend their days on “Oberi Stelli”, the highest meadows on Jänzimatt. Up there milking is a strenous task….

A calf is born on Ruosalp

Leaving Satteleggli

As fall has announced its arrival and the first snow is threatening down to altitudes of 5000 ft. the Reichenbach family has left the chalet on Alp Satteleggli and they moved the animals down to Eigen, the “Unterstaffel”. There they will stay until mid September. Leaving Satteleggli behind. Prinz, 19 years old and still going.

Fall is coming

Having moved into the last month of transhumance the signs are clear on Musenalp that fall is coming. The wild haying is done, and patches of fog slowly and quietly climb the mountain. An early morning picture shows a huge sea of fog. The last days of summer. Food for the winter.

Testimonials

Read what past winners of the Adopt-an-Alp contest have to say

Galen LeGrand

Skagitvalley Food Coop,Mount Vernon, WA

"What impressed me the most on this trip was the amount of tradition
and dedication that is put into every ounce of cheese that comes out
of the Alps. It was absolutely breathtaking and inspiring to see how
much hard work is put into every step along the way, the high
standard of quality. Now I know the whole story and can relate to
that - and that's awesome. Thank you so much!"

Sylvia Sobocinski

Caseus,New Haven, CT

"The Adopt-An-Alp trip was such an amazing experience that it’s hard
to describe in a few words! We learned about Swiss Alpage cheese
making and the traditions of transhumance from start to finish and
tasted some of the most delicious cheeses I have ever had. I am very
grateful to have had the opportunity to meet so many generous people
willing to share their passion and their craft, and I am excited to
continue to be part of this wonderful program."